Twenty years ago, Portland's central business district was a typical tired downtown, with fading retail and rising office vacancy rates, when compared to suburban office parks. Today, the light rail system, MAX, carries 50,000 passengers a day to a downtown rated as one of the most livable in America. Office vacancy rates are now lower than suburban ones, and rents are higher. The best, most attractive retail in the region is in Portland's downtown. Over $2 billion of development has been constructed around downtown station areas.

There's no overstating the fact that light rail is an economic development tool, not just a transportation mode. From the monograph:

From its very inception, the streetcar [in Portland] was seen first and foremost as a redevelopment tool. Its backers organized a nonprofit corporation that built and now operates the line. The corporation is made up of developers, retailers and property owners, as well as city government officials. They have succeeded.

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Featured Statement

LRT in Hamilton is critical for the ongoing evolution of the city into a dynamic, robust and exciting urban environment, providing amazing opportunities for live, work and play in downtown Hamilton. Not to mention a huge boost to the city's tax base. This MUST happen.

Recent News

On Monday, Vote #yesLRT
There is only one way to stop the anti-LRT gang from derailing the biggest public infrastructure investment in the city's history.

Support the #yesLRT Campaign
A broad coalition of LRT supporters including Hamilton Light Rail has come together with a new campaign called #yesLRT to make sure this project stays on the rails through the upcoming municipal election.